Known as a Smockmill because it is said to resemble an old man
wearing a smock, the Lacey Green Windmill is the oldest of its type in the country.

Originally built in 1650 at Chesham, it was reputedly moved to its present
site, by order of the Duke of Buckingham, in 1821. It is said there
was a lack of wind to power the Mill in the Chesham valley, hence
the move to the ridge top at Lacey Green.

Another theory for the removal is that there became a preponderance of
water mills in Chesham. Wind power not being so reliable as water power,
the Windmill was made redundant.

The Will of Peter Tyler of Loosley Row, dated March 1808, suggests there was
an earlier Windmill on this site. Tyler makes provision for
'....my share of the Windmill at Loosley Row' to pass to his second son, Joseph.

In 1821 when the present Mill was re-erected on this site, the village of
Lacey Green did not extend as far northwards as it does today. The
Mill was, therefore, then referred to as Loosley Row Windmill. Thus,
both Loosley Row and Chesham can stake a claim to this historic and
interesting landmark.

The Mill is ideally positioned, for it catches
the full force of the westerly wind, all the way from Swindon in
Wiltshire, over eighty miles away.

The numbered timbers in the tower indicate the Mill was dismantled
for removal and reassembled. The cap was originally turned to the
wind by hand, using an endless chain. Later a fantail was added,
which greatly aided the work of the miller.

The mechanism has indications of rather greater antiquity than is usual
in a Smockmill. Both the brake wheel and the great spur wheel are of a
type which must have been becoming obsolete in the seventeenth century.

The brake wheel is large, nearly three metres in diameter and this,
together with the great spur wheel, are made entirely of wood. The
spokes are of oak, the rims of elm and the cogs and teeth of beech.

The Windmill around 1913

Derelict in 1968

This octagonal Smockmill was last in operation around 1914/15. Once
it ceased work it became derelict and fell into decay. Attempts were made to repair it when it was used for a short time as a weekend cottage. During the Second World War it served as a lookout post for the local Home Guard. By the 1960's it seemed in imminent danger of collapse and disappearing altogether.

During 1967/68 a technical survey was carried out to ascertain if a
complete restoration was possible. Mr Christopher Wallis conducted the
survey. He considered the project feasible and masterminded the whole
operation through to fruition.

An agreement was reached with the
owners in 1971 to lease the Windmill to the Chiltern Society, initially,
for a period of twenty five years. Over the following twelve years a
programme of restoration was undertaken by the Chiltern Society.

The Mill was finally "opened" by the late Lord Bernard Miles on the 23rd April 1983.

During restoration in 1979.

The sails wait to be fitted.

After more than six decades of inactivity, new life has been breathed
into the building, for, once again, flour has been ground. Occasionally,
on suitable days, the Mill is "in sail".

It is open to the public on Sunday afternoons and Bank Holiday Mondays
from the beginning of May until the end of September, 2.30 to 5.30pm.

In 1982 and the scaffolding is in place
ready to fit the tail fan.

The Workshop during restoration.

The Windmill in the snow. By Martin Clark

Special thanks to Mrs Joan D.Moore of Richmond BC, Canada,
and Mr Martin Clark for the use of their photographs.

Some other pages:
> The Windmill played a starring role in Sheaf to Loaf Day in August 1998.